Marketplace All-in-One Post-fire, families weigh staying or leaving
Jan 7, 2026
Susan Schmidt, a portfolio manager at Exchange Capital Resources, shares insights into the aftermath of devastating California wildfires. Families grapple with life-changing decisions—one family opts to rebuild while another chooses to sell, despite significant losses. Themes of resilience emerge as they navigate architectural challenges and personal health concerns amidst uncertainty. Schmidt also analyzes private payroll data, highlighting slow yet positive job growth, while market reactions remain mixed. The conversation weaves together personal and economic recovery narratives.
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Block-Level Devastation And Personal Loss
- David Brancaccio recounts a single Altadena block where 15 houses were total losses, including his own home.
- Neighbors like Louis faced rebuilding decisions while coping with family changes and insurance uncertainty.
Rebuild Plans Upended By New Baby
- Louis and his wife initially dove into rebuilding but reconsidered after learning she was pregnant and fearing strain on family and jobs.
- They sold the burned property and moved into a rental while absorbing losses on their prior 2022 purchase.
Property Values Drop Even After Visible Repairs
- Properties that survived but showed visible fire damage sold for substantially less, with one mid-block sale about 29% below pre-fire value.
- Market valuations around burned neighborhoods can drop sharply even for repaired homes.